Unknown (2024)

As long as you are by my side.....

The series has been adapted from the novel 'Dage' by the chinese author Priest. I don't know what made me check out this series, but I am glad I stumbled onto it. This is the first BL series that I have watched and I was pleasantly surprised by how well it turned out to be.

The Unique Selling Point (USP) of this series for me was the strong bond between the Wei Family members. What makes a family? Biological family is the traditional form of family wherein we care for the members because we are born into it, however some families are formed due to the choices that we make and strengthened by sheer determination, sacrifice, trust and above all LOVE. It is the journey of two people, Wei Qian and Zhiyuan From 'UNKNOWN' to Dage to 'UNKNOWN' to Lovers.

When a young orphaned Wei Qian (Chris Chiu), shouldering an immense responsibility of being the sole breadwinner and a guardian of a young girl, his sister Wei Lili(Tammy Lin) takes on the added burden of providing shelter for a homeless street urchin Wei Zhiyuan (Kurt Huang) a different kind of a family comes into existence. The first few episodes show us how a deep bond is formed between Wei Qian and Wei Zhiyuan. Starting from the feeling of gratitude and dependency of Zhiyuan and commitment and devotion of Wei Qian, morphing into an unbreakable soulbond and a deep desire to be an equal partner, sharing all weal and woe together.

Obviously, it wouldn't be a worthy love story if the protagonists did not have to overcome a few hurdles in their path to everlasting bliss and happiness. From Wei Zhiyuan's side it was very clear from the opening that Wei Qian was not his 'dage' but was the very air that he breathed. Throughout the series, Wei Zhiyuan showed and expressed his feelings very clearly, be it helping to pay bills by working part-time while he was a school student to taking care of Wei Qian's health by ensuring he took proper meals and rest. The hurdle in this relationship was Wei Qian. From the beginning Wei Qian as well as others around him had put him in a position of a guardian and caretaker so it was difficult for him to transition into a life partner. Even though it was evident how much he cared for Wei Zheiyuan, he was reluctant to change their status quo. Wei Qian had closed himself to romantic emotions, dedicating his life to the wellbeing of his sister and Zhiyuan. It took a major jolt for him to realise that he should grab onto the person who matters the most to him before it's too late.

Wei Qian had to realise that it was alright to reciprocate Zhiyuan's feelings. It was ok to leave the shroud of 'dage' and step into a new role of a lover and a partner. Wei Qian and Zhiyuan had to make their own family by finding the answer to the question WHO AND WHAT MAKES A FAMILY?

With each progressing episode, the viewers get more attached with this new family that was in the making..at the end of each episode, there was a quote attached to highlight the changing family dynamics. (The quotes always caught my attention so I am compiling them here)

Episode 1 to 12
Episode 1 -The first- ever family that will never abandon you.
Episode 2 - The second kind of a family always leaves the light on for you.
Episode 3 -The third kind of a family is the one that makes you stay.
Episode 4 -The fourth type of a family member is someone who is always there for you.
Episode 5 -The fifth kind of a family is too good to let go.
Episode 6 -The Sixth kind of a family pretends to be strong and doesn't say goodbye.
Episode 7 -The seventh kind of family is always waiting in the distance, never leaving.
Episode 8 -The eight kind of a family shows care in his(their) own way.
Episode 9 - The ninth kind of a family is always there to protect you when the end comes.
Episode 10 - The tenth kind of a family loves you so much that they want to leave you.
Episode 11 -The eleventh kind of a family indulges you unconditionally because they love you so much.
Episode 12 -The twelfth kind of a family stays together for life.

What kept me invested in this series and the relationship between Wei Qian and Wei Zhiyuan was the fabulous performance by Chris Chiu and Kurt Huang. From the start till the end, there was never a moment when I doubted the deep love between Wei Qian and Zhiyuan due to their performance. Eyes cannot hide, what the lips cannot speak was proven correct in their case.

An honorable mention to the actor Kim Jae Hoon who plays the character of San Pang and actress, Tammy Lin who plays the character of Wei Lili. San Pang was a kind of friend who stands by your side metting out bitter truths but also holding your hands when you are down. Wei Lili was the sweetest sister who grew up under the nurturing care of two young boys.

A special mention to the OSTs, the lyrics were so suitable, they conveyed the feelings of the characters to the audience when the characters were unwilling to acknowledge them verbally.

It is clearly evident that a lot of attention and care was given by everyone to small details while making it. The production team, the screen writer, the director and actors worked in tandem to create a series that would set a high bar for other BL series in future.

Overall: Not to be missed, makes you believe in the adage, "Love Conquers All".
____________________________________________

Additionally, I have also written the episodes' reflection along with some special comments as and when they aired. If anyone is interested to read more they can read episodic musings written in the general comment section, I will leave the links to all episodes below as well as all clickable links as a comment to this review.

Episode 1 and 2
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16426687

Episode 3
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16480939

Episode 4
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16548613

Episode 5
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16617895

Episode 6
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16694139

Episode 7
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16769473

Episode 8
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16853383

Episode 9
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16933581

Episode 10-12
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-17032049

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Brilliantly Redefines the Meaning of Love

Overall, this is a raw, gritty series that presents itself more like a documentary movie than a BL series. It is dark, brooding, and exceedingly realistic. The characters are real people with real problems in real life actualities. I felt drained after watching this series. And categorically it is one of the most intelligently thought-out and refined BLs I have ever seen. It started out dark and remained dark even though its essence is not dark. The presentation of this series is very dark and certainly contemplative. It feels perilous and is filmed in a rather hazy dim fashion. Perhaps reflective of life for many people whose lives are more represented by this series. Pedestrian. Overlooked. Where life is difficult. Full of struggles. Lots of pain. Many unfulfilled dreams and desires. Yet, the foundation for continuing is still family, love, and commitment.

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I was so disappointed with the bed scene (episode 11)

Honestly, I was so disappointed with the bed scene (episode 11) It started very fast and ended within a blink of an eye?. The bed scene was the most anticipated and, they promoted it a lot during the interviews and shows. It was way too short and just a few kisses only. We expected way more! Where did the stuff they filmed go? At least they should have released an extended version. Over all the series was amazing and the best ever acting. But they really ruined the best part, we were all waiting for. Wish there would be a season 2 as we need more of Qian and Yuan. Love both of them to bits.

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Different kinds of Family but at the end everyone is together nevertheless.

Of all the Taiwanese BL I have seen, this has officially reached the top tier. The story being something simple, it was how they took the series further to the best.
Wei Qian is the breadwinner of the family after losing his only parents, takes in a kid home after feeling that was right to do. Yuan knew how he felt since beginning but was afraid of confronting his brother.The story slowly unfolds on how Yuan confronts and how Qian felt in the span of years.
More than love, they show how families with eachother's support suffer and survive together no matter how hard things get.
Above the storyline and acting, feels like the directors and editors did a great job on how the series need to be portrayed.
The OST's , the end family quotes, every thing just fit like a perfect puzzle piece.
will be my comfort drama :)

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Best BL of 2024 so far

Wow. So this was something amazing. A while ago I sent a friend this message: "It's amazing, amazing amazing amazing perfect great wonderful and I've run out of synonyms for the word amazing." And I stand by my words. The interesting thing is that the series is filmed in Taiwan, but according to a Chinese book by a very famous author called Priest, One Chinese series based on a book by this author has already been banned in China, so I'm glad that Taiwan took the initiative to create such a wonderful work. It will be very difficult for me to say goodbye to this couple. I think this is the first time I'm sorry that it's not common outside of Thailand for couples to stay together and star in multiple series because Chris and Kurt are the stars. They played the roles of Qian and Yuan perfectly and put their best into both characters. Chemistry begets chemistry, tension builds, and sparks fly exactly when they're supposed to. AWESOME.

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Hero worshipping to love?

And again, the hype got to me and I watched this drama. And, again, because of the hype, I was more attentive to details. And because I paid attention to details, I did not like this very much. And what I did not like the most is the character of Wei Zhi Yuen: what a manipulative little cocky jerk of a person!

Here starts the rant:

Wei Qian, a lonely orphaned boy, taking care of his sister while working for the local mob, takes in a stray boy he keeps seeing sleeping in the street. He adopts him and gives him a name. Few years later, that boy, now adult, first comes out to WQ (so he is gay but the only man he was ever attracted to is WQ?!?!) and then professes his love to WQ (apparently he has been in love with him ever since he met him as a child?!?!?OK...), who shocked, sends him to school abroad. WZY comes back four years later, changed, matured but still in love with WQ and keeps attacking him until WQ surrenders.

WZY has basically two personalities: before and after going abroad. Before, he is hero worshipping WQ who saved him, gave him home and future. He imagines himself being in love. He is stubborn, has one track mind and does not take NO for an answer. When he comes back, older and wiser he manages to get what he wants by smartly manipulating WQ.

WQ has always been more of a father than a brother to his younger sister Lili and to WZY. He has a physical aversion towards women due to his mother's abuse: he gets literally sick when a women reminds him of her. So he has never been in a relationship: between trying to survive, working hard and looking after his siblings, being in a relationship was the last of his worries. He has never had any romantic feelings or even an idea of love (except as a family member) towards WZY. So when WZY comes back, WQis happy to have his brother back, he is family and he loves his family but he caves under WZY relentless bullying. Is he really in love with WZY? Allow me to doubt! They do end up happily ever after but..... During the first half of the series, WQ is the man in the house. But when WZY comes back, suddenly WQ loses all strength and every brain cell and turns from the ML into the FL while WZY takes the initiative....The change of relationship pace comes with WZY's maturity which catches an exhausted WQ off guard. WQ eventually just gives in and 5min later they are heavily breathing on the bed!

This whole love story failed to convince me.

The story about WQ's struggles to take care of his family while being a child himself was inspiring. The child actors were extraordinary. The whole cast was at the top of their game especially the main pair. The problem is the writing and messy storytelling and the editing with too many flashbacks. But this is a BL so what do we expect.? It is a romance which wants to look like real world but we all know it does not! Maudlin music, nice sets and average cinematography completes the unremarkable production values. One more thing I noticed: why did the costume designer make WQ wear those granpa jumpers in the second half: to make him look older, more experienced, wiser?

There are two exactly the same love stories developed here though the other one should have been fleshed out more. It is a parallel story between Lily, WQ's little sister and San Pang his best friend. The older boys knew them (Lili & WZY) when they were kids, so they treated them as siblings. Now adults, those siblings do not want to be considered siblings any more but lovers. The major difference between these stories is that SP did not save Lili's life, he was just a helpful big brother's friend.

There is even a mafia story somewhere in there (blink and you miss it!) and the inkling of a possible love story between the doctor and the mob boss. Now, that is the drama I would like to see: those two characters practically stole the show and they were in this 10min max!

Some people said there is incest and grooming. No not really! They are not blood relatives so no incest and when they eventually get together they are full grown independent adults. Grooming? Absolutely not! The older brother was never attracted to the younger one. it is the younger brother who relentlessly pursues the older one.

The drama is relationship trope filled: from sponge baths, feeding porridge, fastening seatbelt....think of it, it's in there! The music is all the time on: the songs end up being extremely annoying since they translated the lyrics. Every song explains the emotions felt by the main characters: loneliness ("I am lonely...."says the song), missing someone ("I miss you, I want to see you..."says the song ), flashbacks ("We met in the past, you helped me..."says the song), kissing ("I love you, I want to be with you forever..." says the song)). They are probably not exact lyrics but thereabouts, as if we could not understand what the characters are feeling. Better safe than sorry, the producers must have said. Last but not least, there seemed to be an issue with editing in episode 11: I actually quite liked it. It gave us the flashbacks of their every important moment edited with their lovemaking!

I liked these quotes at the end of every episode which correspond to events taking place:
The first-ever family that will never abandon you.
The second kind of family always leaves the light on for you
The third kind of family is the kind that always makes you want to stay
The fourth type of family member is someone who is always there for you
The fifth kind of family is too good to let go
The sixth kind of family pretends to be strong and doesn't say goodbye
The seventh kind of family is always waiting in the distance
The eighth kind of family shows care in his own way
The ninth kind of family is always there to protect you when the end comes
The tenth kind of family loves you so much that they want to leave you.
The eleventh kind of family indulges you unconditionally because they love you so much.
The twelfth kind of family stays together for life.

In conclusion, I am probably not the target audience since these kinds of dramas, half serious half fluff and nothing whole, are really tiring me.

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The unknown story of two people who are not blood related, but they are family.

Every time I watch it couldn't resist the urge to watch again. I don't know if the story is so good to take me there again and again or maybe I'm in love with the leads. But still I can say this series has become no1 on top of my bl series list. Reading novel and watching the series is like taking raw materials and making a five star dish. Everything is simply intact. I have read the novel. I liked the series more. They did a good job of getting rid of some extra characters from novel. Songs are addictive. Cast is attractive plus addictive. Story point is addictive. Hell had to watch trailer for more than 100 times.

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A Heartwarminng depiction of Love and the acceptance of it

While the Unknown might have initially been a novel filled with dark themes and a humongous list of well developed characters that I’m unaware of, on its own, it stands to be one of the best, well made, well paced, and well acted dramas I’ve watched in a while.

The actors were absolutely stunning to watch! The concept of the show was a little morally jarring, but the said theme of loving one’s guardian, and then the struggle of the guardian to come to terms with those feelings and gradually accept them, I’ve never seen a show portray such concepts so well! I mean, if there are any out there, I’d love some recommendations!

Overall, a very very touching, beautiful watch! Highly recommend!

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Upped the Ante

This has super sad backstory like Bedfriend but has the superb writing and production to supercede Bedfriend in every way. I'm on episode 4 and we have comedy, family drama, angsty teenager drama, workplace drama, extreme childhood trauma, so many feels and no skinship yet which means it can hold its own without the skinship. I don't think I can emotionally handle watching a cliffhanger every week so I am going to wait until this series has all 12 episodes completed. as of right now there's only five. I'll come back and edit this when I've completed the series but let's just say the first 4 episodes are Drama chefs kiss.

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